Spring Hill man arrested in theft of Irish jewelry

Deputies have arrested a Spring Hall man suspected of stealing jewelry from an Irish emporium called the House of Claddagh.

Someone smashed the glass door of the shop at 5596 Commercial Way on Feb. 7 and stole about $10,000 worth of jewelry, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. A pawnbroker who saw a news story about the burglary contacted detectives Tuesday to report that Randall Lee Herrin, 35, came in the day of the burglary and pawned several pieces of Claddagh-style jewelry. The owner of the House of Claddagh confirmed the items were from her shop, deputies said.

Herrin, who lives on River Road, told investigators he found the jewelry in his garage.

He was booked Tuesday at the Hernando County Detention Center on charges of burglary, grand theft, dealing in stolen property and defrauding a pawnbroker. He remained there Thursday in lieu of $17,000 bail.